You may have previously seen this picture of the Helix Nebula, which has been called the Eye of God. It is a composite done by the Hubble in 2002. I now use it for my desktop. If you want the larger version for your desktop, click here then click on the image to see the full-size version. This site explains how this kind of formation occurs. I feel the picture is mesmerizingly beautiful.
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“I will show wonders in heaven above…” Acts 2:19a
You can download full resolution pictures here.
Update 3/24/07: This NASA composite image is one of my most accessed pages through search engines, drawing people from all over the world. I would like to include a NOAO link that explains the image, and the nebula behind it.
I feel that some of the most beautiful photography ever taken has been some of the shots from the Hubble. I think I will put up a few more.
I am glad you and your Sweetie had a good time. My wife calls me her Hubbly-bubbly. I guess because I have always been so optimistic.
A couple of weekends ago my Sweetie and I went to COSI in Columbus. The best exhibit there (IMHO) was a gallery of shots from the Hubble telescope, one of which was “The Eye of God.” But the photos that truly enthralled me were the ‘wide shots’ of space, where one could see dozens of galaxies spinning about! It was absolutely amazing and awe-inspiring. Even from such a distance, one could see their perfect forms. Just amazing stuff.